Hope all is well over seas and under bridges, and across streams, and wherever else y'all are! This week was a bit slow for various reasons, but we did have some highlights for sure!!
I think it will be easiest to simply answer your questions first because that will tell you a good deal about my week.
We rolled up unannounced
The experience where I felt the greatest missionary joy was probably when we were helping a new family of investigators move. I can't remember if I mentioned S*pu and his family before? If not, I will just start from the beginning. So a couple weeks back, a brother in our ward picked us up one day to take us to go do service with him for some of our investigators, members, and former investigators he knew about but that we had no record of. One of the families we mowed the lawn for is a brother named S*pu, and his family. He is married with 6 kids (I think). Oldest 2 are 16 and 15 year old boys, then a couple daughters like 9 and 8, then a 6 year old son, and a 3 year old daughter. So a good sized family. This brother is related to our ward member (I don't know how distant).
Anyways, missionaries used to visit ages ago, but due to lack of records, and maybe other stuff, they stopped. The family didn't know where they went off to. In fact, they even missed the missionaries. Then we rolled up unannounced to mow their lawn and edge their yard, pull weeds etc. They were astonished! While my companion and I worked, our member talked and caught up with S*pu. And he said some really surprising, powerful things. He said that he has a brother that was just baptized in Samoa, converted from the church (AOG) that the family currently is going to. He has an uncle living in Salt Lake that are members. And for reasons that I didn't fully understand when our member first related it, S*pu wants a part of the church. They are active in their church, S*pu is the leader of the youth, his wife has another responsibility. They attend every Sunday. I didn't fully understand until this week.
They had to move house, and quick
They found out last week that they had to move house, and quick. The owner of their house that they were renting went bankrupt and wanted to sell their place. We prayed for them, and fasted, and they were blessed to find a place not far at all, like a 2 min drive away (another 2 min drive from us, and our member). So we kicked into gear. Over the course of perhaps 12 hours, on two separate days, we were able to move them out and into their new home, with just us three and S*pu and his older boys for the big stuff. Anyways, how this relates to what I was saying in the last paragraph, at one point S*pu and I were talking, and he reiterated the things he told our member. He also said (he probably told this to our member, but I am not sure) that the people that he knows who have converted have been changed.
His brother was a heavy drinker. Lived a party-life. God was far from important. And he completely turned his life around when he joined the Church. No more drinking, no more partying. A true disciple of Christ. His uncle in America (Salt Lake) apparently was in the same vein as his bro. When S*pu saw him last, just like his bro, his life was changed. And S*pu told me that he wants that influence in his life for his kids. Now I understand what our member was saying. How cool! S*pu has some awesome questions about the gospel. He and his family have not been taught the lessons. They have been to church once and to a couple activities. But thanks to the examples of his family, the gospel door is being opened! I have such high hopes for this family!! We are really close with all of them now, because of all the time that we have spent with them. Honestly, I think it will be an easy matter for us to begin teaching the family the gospel. Will keep you updated.
Be good examples and you will be instruments in the Lord's hands
S*pu is a great example of how members living our lives and simply obeying the commandments allows hearts to be softened. It relates to a scripture that I read recently, in Alma 17:11 "And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." This scripture speaks of the sons of Mosiah and the words of the Lord to them as they are about to go preach the gospel to the Lamanites. The promise is the same to the members of the church! Be good examples and you will be instruments in the Lord's hands for the salvation of many souls! On the other hand, it does likewise require initiative, like that taken by the brother in our ward.
I do try to study for an hour every day Samoan. Sometimes it doesn't happen though. Oftentimes different things get in the way, but it makes a big difference when I get that chance. One thing that I have been trying to be better at is using the Samoan that I do know at all opportunities. It is so easy to just not talk, and let Elder Tuua do it all when the people we are visiting don't speak English. But I have learned that I remember things a lot better if I use them often.
We get more food than referrals
Missionary work I would say is going alright, generally speaking. Some of the ward members are keen to help with missionary work (e.g., the brother who we are working with to teach S*pu and family). I would say that majority want to feed us as much as possible, but alot of the ward members are relatively old, and don't have a lot of friends. So we get more food than referrals. Algood though. The youth are gold mines! We are having a FHE (Family Home Evening) with our WML (Ward Mission Leader) and his family, and his 18 year old son is inviting his mates, who we have met before and are pretty solid. So the work is going pretty well! Lots more can be done, but no complaints!!
I think I will watch General Conference a week after you guys see it. I am soooo excited!!!!! What kinds of things are you guys doing to prepare? I am going to try and come up with questions to be answered. What recent answers to prayer have you guys had? Or experiences where the Lord answered your questions?
 |
| Hahaha notice that I am the only one eating in the pics:) I have definitely learned how to eat! I am just waiting for all the weight to kick in! (I am 95 kg's, 1 kg more than when I started my mission hahaha) |
 |
| These pictures were from a "Table of Honor" which all the missionaries were invited to eat at during a ward event several weeks ago. |
I had a really neat study this morning. I was weighed down a bit, just because of all of the bad stuff that goes on in this world. I decided to study the Christlike attribute of charity. I remember one thing that Elder Cocker counseled me about ages ago, he said that 'Over time during your mission, the Gospel will begin to click. It will become this great masterpiece, where every puzzle piece comes together and just makes sense." This was one of those pieces that I finally understand. Wow! I have had a few of those experiences on my mission, and they are all very special.
First, I studied about Christ, who is obviously the ultimate example of charity. He has limitless capacity to love. Limitless. I thought about myself and how quick I am to judge, how prideful I can get, how envious, and all things that repel feelings of charity. I have decided to make a conscious effort to be much better. 1 Ne 19:9 "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." That is a verse that stuck out to me this morning. How much I need to improve!
Moroni 7:48 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." In order to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, I have to seek to have His love, which is charity. That was something that stuck out to me as well.
There were many scriptures, many things that I learned. Moral of it all, I understand more fully why I need to love everyone, and how I can keep the greatest commandment, to love one another.
That's my week! (Had a couple sick days, which was why it was slow, but I am feeling much better now!)
Love you guys heaps!! Have a great week!
Elder Loseni
 |
| The pic is Elder Samuela, my zone leader, and another missionary in the zone, Elder Manu, just before DTM. Elder Manu is the backwards missionary hahahaha, thought you guys might like that |
No comments:
Post a Comment